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[Feb 22, 2014] Churnet Valley Steam Gala 2014 (Churnet Valley Railway)

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by lil Bear, Nov 7, 2013.

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Churnet Valley Steam Gala 2014
Churnet Valley Railway
Confirmed Attendees: 8
Posted By: lil Bear
Start Date: Feb 22, 2014 08:00 AM
End Date: Feb 23, 2014 08:00 PM
Time Zone: Europe/London +00:00 GMT
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The following users have RSVP'd "No":
  1. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I didn't know about consall box not opening, really unlucky. I didn't notice anything amiss with the N7/S160, apart from.some unexpected wheelslip.
     
  2. patrickalanbooth

    patrickalanbooth New Member

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    I'm glad its not just me then and after attending the last 3 steam galas its a bit of a disappointment as from training to be a fireman on the WHR locos should be fully checked over before leaving shed and this does include worn or damaged firebar's and for token problems all you need is a white train order and to say that one train stays at one station while the other moves then when that stops it is locked at that station. It was a real mess even by 4 ish, the rail motor (when it was moving) was the best bit of my day the last trip took forever. Most of the actually helpful and welcoming staff were not told much until the last minuet which i think is unfair on them but better luck for Sunday there going to need it.
    thanks
    Patrick
     
  3. Mike30A

    Mike30A Well-Known Member

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  4. Mike30A

    Mike30A Well-Known Member

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    FJR8642 likes this.
  5. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Shots of the double headers from Saturday

     
  6. FJR8642

    FJR8642 Member

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  7. p/wayman

    p/wayman Member

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    Great day on the Gala today, loved the double header up to Ipstones, but the best for me was the Seam Railcar. Absolutely superb what a great restoration has been done on this. All round viewing tremendous, quieter than I expected, what a way to travel thanks to the foresight of the CVR. would not have missed this for the world.
     

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  8. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Footage from Saturday of all the locos involved, except the Class 33! Filmed at Bradnop and around Consall:

     
  9. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    34007 does not have traditional fire bars, it has cast sections in 3x rows which is apparently as per the original design. All locos were checked before leaving shed, and the MHR boys were more than happy with how we treated 34007. She could of failed at anytime with this, it just so happened though it failed on Saturday morning. Simply bad luck than bad inspections.

    We cannot operate our signalling as per above. The CVR line is basically one long section that can be split into 2 at Consall. The LEs / R93 were supposed to do this before the day's first services, but due to the difficulties we could not separate them as that would then make 2x trains in section (and because we couldn't open the interlocking we couldn't operate the points to pass the 2x trains so the line would be blocked if we did!). Thankfully though our small band of S&T volunteers were able to rectify the situation, though obviously this did take some time.

    I'm sorry your visit was not as enjoyable as you'd hoped, but it's been a rather tiring weekend for the railway as a whole. Things did run smoothly today with delays being a maximum of 10mins until the very last train, when 34007 required the assistance of 33021 arriving into Cheddleton on her final trip which resulted in the N7/S160 being locked out of the CVR at Leek Brook for roughly an hr. However again the volunteers banded together and got the job running as quickly as they could.
     
  10. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    what went wrong with 34007 the second time, repairs failing or a second problem? Glad things went better today, as a member of a C+W team elsewhere I really hope that coaching stock is invested in soon, it really was tatty, and I'm not criticizing C+W there as from what I hear they do what they can with limited resources. I would love to help as what could do with being done on most running stock even I could probably do but a bit out of the way for me :-(
     
  11. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    Not sure, was sat at Leek Brook on the N7. Just know they required assistance getting into Chedd, though there's a report on Facebook that the Beyer Peacock hauled her back into the Yard. Surprised we didn't hear that from where we were!

    As I said earlier in this thread, the Coaching stock is being dealt with as best as we can with the resources we have available. Until a 5/6-figure cheque arrives though we can't do anymore than what we are doing.
     
  12. pete12000

    pete12000 Member

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    Having seen the photos on here, and reflecting on my visit yesterday, this was an ambitious gala with two excellent and different visiting engines, I'd just like to say a big thank you to all who put in a tremendous effort to make it all work !!!

    I'll definitely be back for the next one
     
    lil Bear likes this.
  13. patrickalanbooth

    patrickalanbooth New Member

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    Well ok then with 34007 but its not the first time something has happens with a loco or locos at a gala? and your volunteers were amazing i couldn't fault them especially the lady on the rail motor who despite being given either wrong or no info at all still kept people informed and there spirits up, and in all i did have a good day but it was marred by the length of time waited every ware. I am a supporter of the line and a shareholder but for the last couple of years steam galas have gone wrong in some way so if this was the first time i wouldnt be fussed but its happend more than once.
    many thanks
    Patrick
     
  14. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Service seemed to be a lot smoother today with only a bit of late running encountered, 34007 sounded quite off beat like it has decided it preferred 2 1/2 cylinders but was running at least.

    Spent most of the day linesiding between Cheddleton and Consall and thought it went rather well all things considered, light could have been better but that's just pit luck really, certainly glad I picked the Sunday to go.

    My pics from the event: http://daviddepperphotography.zenfolio.com/p566915878#h2d22c0a3
     
    lil Bear likes this.
  15. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Nice pics David, particularly like your last one.

    I guess I only keep banging on about the coaches as what I see I could so easily help with yet of course.can't and it frustrates me :)

    Pity Wadebridge has been so unreliable this weekend, that seems to have contributed to almost all the problems of this gala. Well done to all involved for making the best of it though!
     
  16. DerekTrotter

    DerekTrotter New Member

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    Was disappointed today on visiting CVR for first time...

    Day rovers were £24 not £22 as advertised (not a big difference but this should be correct!)
    Parking was an issue at Cheddleton - if you are going to attract lots of people, where are they going to leave their car?!?
    And finally was stuck behind the N7/s160 stationary for over an hour at Leek Brook....absolute joke...no information/apology given from staff.

    I've read 34007 required assistance today....but why?!?!? didn't it also fail on Saturday - not good enough!

    While I appreciate the best efforts/work of the volunteers, cvr needs a hell of a lot more work!
     
  17. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    £22 was the advance price, though I realise this wasn't made obvious so hopefully this can be corrected for future events.

    Cheddleton we do the best that we can with what we have available, which admittedly isn't great which is why when asked we recommend Froghall as it has a larger Car Park (as we did in this thread).

    Your final point though I take exception to. I was fireman on the N7 so endured the same wait as yourself. The Guard did walk up and notify passengers, and I myself also walked up at one point and chatted to a couple of passengers personally whilst we were waiting. Most understood the situation and whilst frustrated they were stuck at LBJ they were appreciative of our efforts. I'm sorry you missed out this information, but the volunteers did make an effort to tell the passengers what information we received. The ladies on the buffet even started giving free teas/coffees out, which ok doesn't get you home any sooner but at least the railway tried to make good a bad situation as best we could. We can't help loco failures, they do happen and it's just unfortunate that we've experienced 2 in the same event.
     
  18. DerekTrotter

    DerekTrotter New Member

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    We did get a free drink which was good, sorry 'lil bear'... it was just frustrating/terribly boring to be sat there so long with no detailed explanation why.

    I think I will give cvr another chance, maybe in the summer on a normal running day.

    Btw did the S160 have a cylinder cock blowing later on? Was making right racket on the run up to Ipstones...
     
  19. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    No worries, it wasn't particularly exciting for the crews either who been up since 5am! Can understand your frustration, as I went through similar at a ELR Gala when Ramsbottom signal box froze and we were stuck there for a similar length of time. Some things just cannot be helped sadly. To be honest I'm still not fully sure what went on, as we were told the 33 went to Consall to collect the Bulleid hence the delay, but pics on Facebook show the Beyer Peacock and Bulleid doubleheading out of Consall!

    The CVR on a normal day is a lot more relaxed. Most visitors mix it in with a look round the sheds and a walk along the canal including a drink or two in one of the local pubs. Is a lovely part of the country, that is hidden away in the valley which a ride on the train opens up. There also our monthly Cauldon weekends which only see 1x set do 3x trips so no need for opening / closing Consall and combining tokens!
     
  20. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    As a linesider at the event I can confirm that (1) the S160 had a cylinder problem hence its removal at Cheddleton (with 69621) and replacement 33021 continued with the journey to Froghall and (2) 34007 ran out of coal and the crew were collecting timber from Consall to "get the train home" whilst carrying the token needed by the S160 to get to Cheddleton; 34007 was "rescued" by BP 1827 as seen under. In one way the success of a line is not simply what it does but how it handles problems - and the problems of this weekend have NOT found the staff or volunteers wanting as many have given extra time and effort to both resolve the problems whilst doing their best to provide a good customer experience.

    BP1827-05a.jpg
     
    oldmrheath likes this.

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